Animals and visitors alike enjoyed a standout year at Alexandra Park Zoo, with 2025 filled with new programs, signage upgrades and sustainability achievements.
Throughout the year the zoo welcomed more than 84,600 visitors, offering locals and tourists meaningful, hands‑on wildlife and conservation experiences.
Situated on Quay Street, the Bundaberg Regional Council-owned facility is home to a range of animals including dingoes, snakes, emus, cotton-top tamarins and more.
To help lead education of these animals in 2025, staff introduced new interactive signage, made possible through a First 5 Forever grant via Bundaberg Regional Libraries.
While the signs were designed to support early literacy, it quickly became a hit with visitors of all ages – proving you’re never too old to enjoy learning at the zoo.
Accessibility also took centre stage in 2025.
Through an accessibility review with Bundaberg Tourism and Getaboutable, the zoo also introduced an engaging audio tour and social story, helping visitors familiarise themselves before arriving at the facility.
The review has delivered valuable insights and is guiding future improvements in inclusive design, from talks and signage to enclosure layouts.
Bundaberg Regional Council portfolio spokesperson Cr Gary Kirk said the year highlighted the zoo’s strong connection with the community.
“Alexandra Park Zoo continues to grow as a place where people of all abilities can feel welcome while learning about wildlife and conservation,” Cr Kirk said.
“The improvements made in 2025 reflect the passion of the zoo team and their commitment to animal welfare and an outstanding visitor experience.”
More highlights from 2025 included:
- Expanded education programs, including the launch of the Safe Cat, Safe Wildlife campaign.
- Keeper Choice Talks, where staff shared their expertise and explained how animals are given choice and control in their daily routines – such as dingoes choosing whether to meet visitors or join walks.
- Thriving habitat upgrades, with grass planted in the wallaby exhibit in July, not only surviving but flourishing.
- Growth of the aquatic plant project which supplies food for the zoo’s turtles. In 2025, around a quarter of their annual food supply was grown onsite saving about $2,730, cutting freight travel by nearly 6,500 km and improving food quality.
- Tourism and Events Queensland’s Best of Queensland Experiences program 2025 recognition, celebrating the zoo’s continued excellence.
- Industry collaboration, with staff presenting a zoo animal training program to the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) taxon advisory group, Australian Mammals.
- Animal care milestones, including crowd favourite Clancy the red-tailed black cockatoo building flight strength through positive training.
After a hugely successful 2025, the zoo team is excited to welcome the community back for another year of learning, connection and conservation.
Find out more about the zoo here.
